August 7, 2025
Phase 1 Health Care Report Marks Step Forward, But More Work Ahead
VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Greens are welcoming the release of Phase 1 of the Primary Care Report, a step forward for transparency and accountability in BC’s health care system, made possible through the 2025 Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord (CARGA).
“The transparency and detail in this report mark an important step forward for BC’s health care system—and it’s just the beginning,” said BC Greens interim leader Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.
“From this common understanding, healthcare experts, policy makers, patients and the public can now discuss evidence-based recommendations to improve health care access across the province. But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Phase 2 will build on this work by incorporating expert advice for concrete steps to meet our commitment to help communities build more Community Health Centres to better serve primary and preventative care needs of British Columbians.”
The report offers a first-of-its-kind look at BC’s primary care system, including data on patient attachment, clinic visit volumes, and the performance of Community Health Centres (CHCs). It highlights significant geographic disparities—especially the lack of access in rural and remote communities compared to urban centres.
“This report confirms what we said during the campaign: BC doesn’t have a doctor shortage—we’re just not using our doctors effectively, or serving the entire province equitably,” added Valeriote. “Other provinces are doing more with fewer doctors, and this data shows we can too.”
While the report provides valuable insights, it does not address issues such as patient complexity, satisfaction, or health outcomes. This is a critical gap when evaluating CHCs, which often serve complex, marginalized populations through longer, relationship-based care.
Additionally, the report was developed internally, with limited input from care providers or stakeholders outside of the government-funded system.
Phase 2 of the Primary Care Analysis is expected this fall and will include expert and patient consultations, with the goal of identifying actionable commitments to support the expansion of Community Health Centres and improve team-based care.
The BC Green Caucus will continue to advocate for health care reform rooted in data, evidence, and equity, ensuring a health care system that meets the needs of all British Columbians no matter who or where they are.
To read the report, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/CARGAPrimaryCareReport1.pdf
To learn more about CARGA, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024PREM0075-001656
To read the terms of reference for the primary-care assessment, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Terms_Of_Reference.pdf
Media Contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca